Ink-feeding apparatus



Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

invite STATES HOWARD S. WILSOLLOF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA.

INK-FERDING- APPARATUS.

Application filed August 7, 1924. Serial No. 730,893.

This invention relates to certain improvements in ink feeding apparatusand has relation more particularly to a device of this general characterespecially designed and adapted for use in connection with the inkingdisks of jobbing presses, although it is to be understood that I do notlimit myself to this particular use.

it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this generalcharacter comprising an ink pot provided with a restricted dischargeorifice and which is normally closed or sealed by a plunger, togetherwith means for forcing said plunger inwardly of the pot to effect adischarge of` the ink through the orifice. y

Another object of the invention is 'to provide a novel and improvedapparatus ofthis general character wherein the requisite feeding of theink to the disk may be effected either mechanically or manually, themechanical operation being lpreferably of an automatic character.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thisgeneral character wherein is employed an ink pot or container which maybe readily applied or removed and thereby permitting convenientreplacement of an empty pot or container and also to provide meanswhereby the pot or container of ink may be readily and convenientlyshipped through the mails or otherwise, the closure for the pot orcontainer constituting a plunger or pressure head for 'use to effect thedischarge of the ink as required.

The inventionl consists in the details 'of construction and inthe-combination and arrangement of the several parts 'of my improved inkfeeding apparatus, wherebyc'ertain important advantages are attained andthe device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise moreconvenient and vadvantageous for use, as vwill be hereinafter more fullyset forth.

rlfhe novel features of my invention will 4hereinafter more fully setforth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitlyclaimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, l will nowproceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing,wherein l Figure l is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partlyin elevation, illustrating an ink feeding apparatus constructed `againstoxidation.

in accordance kwith an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2is a view in top plan of the apparatus as herein disclosed, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the lower portion ofthe ink pot or container.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, l denotes an upstandingsupporting arm disposed on a requisite incline and which underlies theinking disk D. This disk D is of conventional character' and hascoacting therewith in a well-known manner the inking rolls R. As theconstruction and operation of the disk D 'and the rolls'R. form no partof my present invention, it is believed that detailed description andillustration thereof is unnecessary.

Carried by the upper portion of the arm l in close proximity vto the=upper bight of the disk D, is a vertically .disposed frame F, saidframe having its central opening of a size to readily permit positioning'therein of the pot or container P.

The pot or container P is formed preferably of suitable metal with itsupper or top portion normally open. The side wall `of the pot orcontainer P yat a `point slightly above its bottom wall, has producedtherethru a plurality of 'minute discharge `ouenings or orifices 2. Thepot or'container is adapted to contain a 'supplyof printers `ink and isnormally closed b a piston orplunger 3, said piston or p un'gerhermeti'cally closing the upper 'portion of the can whereby the inktherein is effectively protected Vhile it is true that a certain amountVof air will attempt to enter thru the orifices 2, yet the oxidizationof the ink within said orifices will 'serve to effectually seal the sameand prevent escape of the ink therethru until pressure is Iapplied uponthe piston or plunger 3. However, to further assure the requisitesealing of these orifices 2 a rubber band or the like may be disposedaround the lower portion of the pot or lcontainer P and over theorifices. The use of this band or the like is lparticularly desirablewhen the filled pot or container is being `shipped thru lthe maiis orotherwise.

The upper member'll ofthe frame F at substantially its center isprovided with an opening 5 through vwhich extends the upstanding boss'6, carried bythe central portion of a worm gear 7. The boss (i` extendsthrough a flange 8 delining the opening 5 and directed through saidflange 8 is a pin 9,- the inner or inserted end portion of which engageswithin a peripheral groove 10 in the boss 6 wherebyithe worm gear 7 iseifectually maintained in applied position, yet permitted to haveunhinderedrotation.

Threaded through the boss G and the axial center of the gear 7 is a stemor rod 11, the lower end portion of which is Vadapted to contact fromabove vtheupstanding pin 12 arranged at the axial center of the pistonor plunger 3, so that upon requisite. rotation of the gear 7 the rod orstem 11 will be caused to move downwardly, exerting sufficient pressureupon the plunger or piston 3 to eifect the desired discharge ofthe inkthrough the orilices 2. The uppcrvend of the rod or stem 11 is providedwith a hand wheel 14 whereby the stem or rod 11 may be manuallyoperated. This is a particular advantage in starting'the flow of ink orwhen it is desired to move the rod or .stem 11 outwardly suli'icientlyto permit a ready application or removal of the pot or container P inworking position upon the frame F.

The upper portion of the frame F is pro vided with a pair of outstandingparallel arms, 15 which rotatably support the shaft Y 16, said shafthaving fixed thereto ra worm 17 meshing with the worm gear 7. One endportion of the shaft 16y has aliixed thereto a ratchet wheel 18 withwhich engages a dog 19 pivotally connected as at 2O with an upstandingportion 21 of alever 22. This lever 22 is supported for swingingmovement by the shaft -16 and is.` provided with a rearwardly directedweighted tail piece 23 whereby upward movement of the lever 22 is eectedautomatically by gravity. v

The outer end of the lever 22 has threaded therethru the shank 24, tothe lower end portion of which is secured a flexible member M. Thismember M isalso adapted to beallixed to the conventional arm of theinking rolls R so that as said rolls R are movedcacross the disk D inone directionrequisite pull will be imposed upon the member M to swingthe lever 22 downwardly. As the lever 22 swings downwardly, the dog 19will engage the ratchet wheel 18, resulting in a slight rotation of theworm lgear 7. This rotation of the worm gear 7 will cause the rod orstem 11 to move downwardly a distance commensurate with the extent ofrotation of the gear 7. This downward `movement of ythe stem or rod 11,bearing upon the piston or plunger 3, will resultv in a discharge of inkthru the orifices. Y

I The extent of rotation of the gear 7 upon each downward movement ofthe lever 22 may be regulated as desired by'proper adjustment of theshank 24, inv accordance with the number of teeth over which the dog 19passes upon upward swinging movement of the lever 22. The flexiblemember M, as herein disclosed, is adapted to have interposed therein oneor more springs 25, so

.that if for any reason the downward movement of the stem or rod 11 willbe stopped, the resultant expansion of the spring 25 will permitunhindered movement of the roller R. This is a particular advantage inthe event the pot or container P is completely emptied and the plungeror piston S is in direct contact with the bottom thereof. In view ofthis fact, it will be readily under 'stood that this spring 25operateseffectively tov prevent injury to the mechanism of the apparatusunder such abnormal conditions.

As illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it is to be noted that thedischarge orifices 2 of the pot or container P are closely adjacent theupper roller R when at the limit of .its upward movement so that the inkas discharged through the orifices 2 will come in direct contact withthe periphery of said roller and thereby assure the proper distri butionof the ink over the disk D.

By having the ink to be delivered to the disk D in a container or pot P,it will be readily observed that such pot or container with a new supplyof ink, can be applied when desired and furthermore by having the pot orcontainer P readily removable, ink of one color can be quickly andconveniently substituted for that of another color, and this is aparticular advantage be,- cause after the pot has been removed, it isnot necessary that the same be cleansed. It will also be readilyobserved that by this interchangeability of the pots or containers P inthe change of any color it is only revquiredv that the disk D and rollsR be cleaned as is now done. v

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that an inkfeeding apparatus constructed in accordance with my Ainvention isparticularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience andfacility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it ,will alsobe obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change andmodification without departing from the principles ,and spiritthereof-and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limitingmyself to the precise arrangementr and formation of the several partsherein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except ashereinafter claimed.

lVhat l claim is f Y 1. In combination with an inking disk of a printingpress, a vertically disposed frame positioned in close proximity to thedisk, a pot supported within the frame, said pot having an oriicedischarging upon the disk, a lplunger'wit-.hinthe pot and constituting aclosure therefor, a rod secured'to the axial center of the plunger, theupper member of the frame having an opening through which said rodextends to a point above the frame, a gear threaded on the rod, saidgear being provided with an outstanding boss extending within theopening .in the upper meuh ber of the trame, means ooacting with saidupper member oi" the frame and the boss for holding the gear to saidmember .and permitting the gear to rotate, a shaft rotatably supportedby the frame having a gear in `mesh Wit-.h the gear on the rod, andmeans 'for intermittently rotating the shaft.

2. In combination with an inking disk of a printing press, a verticallydisposed frame positioned in close proximity to the disk, a potsupported Within the trame, said pot having` an orifice discharging uponthe disk, a plungerl Within the pot and constituting a closure therefor,a rod secured to the axial center of the plunger, the upper member otthe frame having an opening through which said rod extends to a pointabove the frame, a gear threaded on the rod, said gear being providedWith an outstanding boss extending Within the opening of the uppermember of the frame, means coacting With said upper member of the frameand the boss for holding tne gear to said member and permitting the gearto rotate, a shaft rotatably supported by the frame having a gear inmesh with the gear on the rod, a ratchet fixed to the shaft, a leversupported by the shaft for swinging movement and provided with arearwardly directed Weighted tail piece to automatically effect swingingmovement of the lever in one direction, a paWl carried by the leverengageable with the ratchet, and means for intermittently impartingmovement to the ratchet in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I hereunto ailix my signature. y i f HOWARD S.WILSON.

